War over sea cucumbers

Mexico has banned fishing for sea cucumbers, but demand from China has triggered a black market and violent rivalries between those who obey the law and those who can make a big profit on food that Mexicans don't even eat.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

NOT MUCH HALIBUT CHATTER

Exxon Valdez in B.C.

Enbridge launched its own multi-million dollar media and online advertising campaign last May, to sell the public on the economic benefits of the pipeline and the company's safety and oil-spill prevention procedures.

Cal fish coming back

Salmon farm foes fear panel

Critics of British Columbia’s salmon-farming industry fear they could be “shouted down” and that their concerns will disappear into a “black hole” when a new committee meets to advise federal fisheries officials on aquaculture issues.

Orca Bay certified

Orca Bay Seafoods has been awarded certification in chain of custody from ASMI by successfully meeting the requirements of the FAO-Based Responsible Fisheries Management Chain of Custody Certification standard administered by Global Trust.

More Arctic rules

After a year’s delay, the United Nations body tasked with developing polar shipping regulations has recommended provisions to address the environmental impacts of Arctic shipping – but they don’t go far enough.

Processor floating again

See you at ComFish

For 34 years, ComFish Alaska has been bringing the latest products, services, and information directly to the people in one of our nation's top fishing ports – Kodiak. Kodiak is home to Alaska's largest and most diverse fishing fleet, with more than 600 vessels filling its two downtown harbors. Kodiak also has the largest number of seafood processing companies operating in Alaska.

ComFish exhibitor booths sold out in record time and the venue will be expanded next year, said Trevor Brown, director of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the ComFish event.

"ComFish provides a unique opportunity for vendors and exhibitors to interact with people in the fishing industry right where they live and do business. Visitors get to experience a thriving, year round, working waterfront and a colorful fishing town," Brown said.

Along with the trade show, a lively lineup of workshops and presentations provide the latest information on policies and issues that directly affect Alaska's fishing communities. A highlight this year include discussions on a catch share program being crafted for groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and what it might mean for the Kodiak community. Visitors from coastal communities around the nation will share their experiences on securing long-term access to their fisheries.

Other highlights: expanded halibut stock surveys, fishing vessel energy savers, new hatch/door monitors to prevent vessel sinkings, marine debris cleanup programs, seafood markets with a focus on China, updates on the Pebble Mine, ergonomics for fishermen that help reduce pains, strains, and sprains, updates on king crab enhancement projects at the nation's top crab lab in Kodiak, updates on the Fishermen's Fund which provides up to $10,000 in medical benefits for Alaska fishermen, and a historical/pictorial overview of Kodiak's canneries.

Fish fraud at borders

This new label law seems aimed at the border – making sure that what comes in to the country is what is says it is (and perhaps is from where it says it’s from), likely helping commercial fishermen in the U.S. who already have transparent, cooperative, and clear operations.